Bulgarian Student Draws Celebrity Portraits on Starbucks Cups

When a simple coffee run turns into a viral moment, it’s not the roast or the barista skills that get the attention — it’s what someone does with the cup afterward. For one Bulgarian teenager, that meant turning a disposable Starbucks cup into a miniature canvas for stunning celebrity portraits.

The artist behind the trend is 19-year-old Lyubomir Dochev, a student from Bulgaria, whose detailed sketches of stars on standard Starbucks paper cups earned him over 13,000 Instagram followers and compliments from the celebrities themselves.

How a Starbucks Cup Became an Art Platform

Lyubomir Dochev has been drawing since childhood, entirely self-taught with no formal art training. But it wasn’t until January this year that his work caught widespread attention. That’s when he posted an image of a Starbucks cup featuring a portrait of British supermodel Cara Delevingne wearing a wool hat. The post quickly racked up 1,857 likes — including one from Delevingne herself.

More Celebrities, More Fans

Following the success of the Cara Delevingne cup, Dochev continued sharing his artwork on Instagram. His subjects have included global icons such as singer Rihanna, the Kardashian-Jenner family, and supermodels Gigi and Bella Hadid. One particularly popular piece recreated Rihanna’s iconic Vogue cover shot, which earned 1,730 likes — and even earned him a follow from Rihanna.

Starbucks Branding as Artistic Element

In some of his pieces, Dochev cleverly incorporates the Starbucks logo into his compositions, blending corporate design with fine-art portraiture. The result is a series of cups that are instantly recognisable yet transformed into unique works of fan art. He uses the familiar cup as both a canvas and a conversation starter.

Why This Matters to Coffee Culture

While this story isn’t about a specific coffee origin or brewing method, it taps into the creative side of coffee culture — the way people personalise their coffee experience. Just as some collectors seek out rare beans or brewing gear, others find joy in customising their cups. Dochev’s work shows how a daily coffee ritual can become a platform for art, recognition, and even celebrity interaction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Lyubomir Dochev?

Lyubomir Dochev is a 19-year-old art student from Bulgaria who gained online fame for drawing detailed celebrity portraits on Starbucks paper cups. He is entirely self-taught and has no formal art education.

Which celebrities have liked or commented on his cup art?

Cara Delevingne and Rihanna have both liked and followed Lyubomir Dochev’s Instagram account after seeing their portraits on Starbucks cups. Other subjects include the Kardashians and models Gigi and Bella Hadid.

How did Lyubomir Dochev start drawing on Starbucks cups?

Dochev has been drawing since he was young but only started sharing his Starbucks cup portraits in January. His first viral post featured Cara Delevingne and gained over 1,800 likes.

How many followers does Lyubomir Dochev have on Instagram?

As of the report, Lyubomir Dochev’s Instagram account has attracted more than 13,600 followers due to his celebrity cup art series.

Does Starbucks support or endorse this kind of fan art?

The article does not state any official endorsement from Starbucks, but the reuse of the Starbucks cup as a canvas has become part of the art’s appeal, blending commercial design with personal creativity.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Artist-Inspired Brews

If you’re as inspired by Lyubomir Dochev’s artistic coffee cup creations as we are, try brewing with FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Yirgacheffe — known for its bright citrus, floral notes, and juicy body, perfect for starting your day with creativity. For something deeper, their Colombia Huila offers balanced caramel and almond tones with a smooth mouthfeel, ideal for longer sketch sessions. Finally, the Ethiopia Sidamo delivers winey acidity and blueberry hints, great for sipping while admiring fine portraiture. All beans are freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.